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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The unit of musical rhythm.






2. The first violin in an orchestra.






3. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






4. A short or brief sonata.






5. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






6. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






7. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






8. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






9. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






10. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.






11. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






12. A musical scale having five notes.For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale.






13. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






14. Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends.






15. A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This period signified the rebirth of music - art - and literature.






16. The principal note of a triad.






17. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






18. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






19. A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords - the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.






20. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






21. Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto - featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist.






22. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






23. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






24. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






25. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






26. A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase - either in the middle or the end of a composition.






27. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






28. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






29. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






30. A combination of two or more staves on which all the notes are vertically aligned and performed simultaneously in differing registers and instruments.






31. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






32. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






33. A harmonic given off by a note when it is played.






34. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






35. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






36. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.






37. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






38. The unit of musical rhythm.






39. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






40. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






41. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






42. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






43. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






44. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






45. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






46. A direction to play expressively.






47. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






48. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






49. A sequence of songs - perhaps on a single theme - or with texts by one poet - or having continuos narrative.






50. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.